Key case



Dec. 30, 1947. s, BENNETCH 2,433,644

KEY CASE Filed Dec. 29, 1945 ":E 'gp,

g. A TdINVENTO-ZZ Patented Dec. 30, 1947 STATES ATET orrics KEY CASE David S. Bennetch, Lebanon, Pa. Application December 29, 1945, Serial No. 638,274

12 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to carrier cases, more particularly to the self locking and releasing type adapted to keys.

The present invention contemplates a pushbutton operated key case affording a maximum '5 in durability, simplicity and convenience with a minimum of parts, attainable by the total elimination of moving parts and means of rendering an individual member capable of performing numerous functions. The invention involves the use of an expandable case, having a normally contracted key retaining position, a manually expanded key releasing position and push buttons for expanding the case to a key releasing position. The said push button also constituting a tactual means of identifying the keys. each push button adapted to the selection and individualrelease of a plurality of keys.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and combina tion of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawing iorming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of face view of the case showing the keys in their confined position; 1 Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on lines 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on lines l& of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on lines 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken onv lines fi-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of the structure.

In the following description and in the claims, 45 various details will be identified by specific names for convenience but they are intended to be as generic in their application as the art will permit.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawing.

In the drawing accompanying and forming part of this specification, certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for purposes of explanation, but it will be understood that the details may be modified in various respects 55 without departure from the broad aspect of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, in which the invention in its preferred form consists of two resilient parallel outer plates l and 2, and the central stator plate 3, the three plates being secured together by the snap fasteners 5 and 6 and the male members 4. The spaced assemblage of the three plates form two longitudinal slots, wide enough to freely accommodate the thickest stock keys. As part of the outer plates l and 2 are the annular abutments l3, l4, l5 and I6 (hereinafter referred to as spacer pivots) which serve as spacers for the plates as well as pivots for the keys A, B, C and D. As part of the outer plates i and 2 are the elongated push buttons II and I2 extending from the inside of the outer plates, transversely through and beyond the opposite side of the case. These push buttons serve the dual purpose of identifying the keys and also expanding the case to a key releasing position. As a part of the central stator plate 3 are the nodular projections 1, 8, 9 and I9. These projections lie directly in the path of the keys when the outer retaining plates I and 2 are in their normally contracted position. Also as part of the central stator plate 3 are the marginally spaced filler blocks l 1 having the same height as the spacer pivots. The purpose of the filler blocks is to prevent coins or other foreign objects from lodging in the case.

Keys may readily be assembled, replaced, or removed from the case by removing the snap fasteners 5 and 6 and suitably separating the plates l, 2 and 3.

Fig. 1 shows the four keys rotatively confined, the key A by the push button H and the projection 1; the key B by the push button I I and the projection 8; the key C by. the push button 12 and the projection 9; and the key D by the push button l2 and the projection ll).

Fig. 2 illustrates the lateral confinement of the keys by the contracted outer plates l and 2. Also the mounting of the keys on the spacer pivots, in alphabetical order, the key A on the pivot l3; the key B on the pivot M; the key C on the pivot l5; and the key D on the pivot I6.

The manner of using the case will now be described! To release the keys, pressure is applied to the case at three different points. The release of the key A typically illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 in a potentially releasable position, is preferably effected by a slight pressure applied to the snap fasteners 5 and 6 by the first and second finger, and a counter pressure applied by the relative position of each. key being tactually definable by its prearranged relationship to the push button H or l2. The relative position of the case, the shape and direction of ofi center position of the push button H or l2, designating the releasable position of each key are, respectively, for the key A the round push button H to the left (the case as shown); for the key B the rectangular push button 1?. to the right (the case turned side for side) for the key C the round push button it to the right (the case turned end over end); and for the key D the rectangular push button 52 to the left (the case turned, horizontally, end for end),

If desired, tactual selection of the keys may be effected by providing on the exposed extremities of the push button, suitable characters or symbols, as designated by l2a and I2?) on the push button l2 (illustrated on Fig. 2 only). These symbols may be in the nature of numerals, letters, or any form usually associated with the purpose for which the key is intended, each push button having two symbols thereon, one for each of the two keys each push button is capable of serving.

For purposes of display and demonstration, a visual means of selecting the keys may also be provided by employing a transparent material in the construction of the case.

The case is preferably made of resilient molded plastic material; however, it is obvious that any other suitable material, or combination of mate rials, may be effectively employed.

Fig. '7 illustrates a modified form of the case, in this form a plate it, a push button 18 and a projection 28 have been added and the case is, therefore, rendered capable of housing six keys. This demonstrates that the capacity of the case is limited only by the number of plates provided.

Advantages Thus a key case is disclosed that is rugged, yet light and compact. The use of the resilient outer plates is of great advantage, in that it reduces the number of parts required to confine and release the keys, permits each outer plate to serve two keys and, consequently, reduces the overall size and weight of the case. The use of the snap fasteners is also important, in that it facilitates the assembling of the case, simplifies the installation or removal of keys and prevents the plates from becoming separated, as frequently occurs when screws are used. Providing push button case expanders as part of the resilient outer plates is also of great utility, since this combination greatly simplifies the fabrication of the case. The versatility of the push buttons render the case so effective, that the functions of selecting, releasing and reconfining a key may be conveniently performed, single handedly, with equal ease in daylight or darkness.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a key carrier, an expandable case comprising a plurality of flexible plates, secured together by fasteners and having push buttons projecting perpendicularly from the inside of the outer plates and extending transversely through and beyond the opposite side of the case.

2. In a key carrier, an expandable case capable of housing a plurality of keys, having flexible plates laterally confining said keys, projections rotatively confining said keys, and push buttons adapted to deflect said plates outwardly, permitting said keys to move, laterally, to a position from which to gravitate pivotally out of said case.

3. In a key carrier, an expandable case, capable of receiving and confining a plurality of keys, said case having a normally contracted key retaining position, a manually expanded key releasing position, and push buttons for expanding the case to a key releasing position, said push buttons also constituting a means of identifying the keys.

4. In a key carrier, an expandable case, housing a plurality of keys, said case having 2. normally contracted key retaining position, a manually expanded key releasing position and push buttons for expanding the case to key releasing position, said push buttons being suitably shaped and positioned to identify the individual keys.

5. In a key carrier, an expandable case, capable of housing a plurality of keys, said case having a normally contracted key retaining position, a manually expanded key releasing position and push buttons for expanding the case to a key releasing position, said push buttons having, on their exposed extremity, symbols with which to select the keys.

6. In a key carrier, an expandable case, comprising a plurality of flexibly disposed plates, capable of housing a plurality of keys, having push buttons for combinedly selecting and releasin the keys and filler blocks for preventing foreign objects from lodging in the case.

7. In a key carrier, a transparent expandable case, capable of housing a plurality of keys, said case having flexible plates for laterally confining keys. snap fasteners for securing said plates together, means for rotatively confining said keys, means for deflecting said key confining plates outwardly to release said keys, a tactual means for identifying the keys and filler blocks for preventing foreign objects from lodging in the case.

8. In a key carrier, an expandable case, having flexible plates for laterally confining keys, snap fasteners for securing said plates together, projections for rotatively confining said keys, push buttons for deflecting said key confining plates outwardly to release said keys, said push buttons also constituting a tactual means of selecting said keys, said case being made of a transparent material to provide visual means for selecting the keys.

9. In a key holder, a case comprising a plurality of superimposed plates, spacing devices for spacing the plates apart to provide key space, pivot devices on which keys are pivoted, certain of said plates being movable with respect to another plate, a pushbutton secured to a movable plate and extending through an adjacent plate to the outside of the case, said plates having catch portions for holding the keys in closed position, said catch portions being of such height to permit the keys to swing to open position when a movable plate is moved by a pushbutton to enlarge the key space.

10. In a key holder, a case comprising a plurality of superimposed plates, spacing devices for spacing the plates apart to provide key space, pivot devices on which keys are pivoted, certain of said plates being bendable, a pushbutton secured to a bendable plate and extending through an adjacent plate to the outside of the case, said plates having catch portions for holding the keys in closed position, said catch portions being of such height to permit the keys to swing to open position when a bendable plate is depressed by a pushbutton to enlarge the key space.

11. In a key holder, a case comprising a plurality of superimposed plates, certain of said plates having spacing devices for spacing the plates apart at their ends to provide key space, pivot pins about which keys are pivoted, said pivot pins passing through the plates at their ends and holding the plates together, certain of said plates being bendable, a pushbutton secured to a bendable plate and extending through an adjacent plate to the outside of the case, said plates having catch portions for holding the keys in closed position, said catch portions being of such height to permit the keys to swing to open position when the bendable plate is depressed by a pushbutton to enlarge the key space.

12. In a key holder, an expandable case comprising three superimposed plates, certain of said plates having spacing devices for spacing the plates apart at their ends to provide key space, pivot pins about which keys are pivoted, said pivot pins passing through the plates at their ends and holding the plates together, the outer plates being bendable, the inner plate being fixed, pushbuttons respectively secured to the insides of the bendable plates and extending through the fixed plate and the other bendable plate to the outside of the case, said plates having catch projections for holding the keys in closed position, said projections being of such height to permit the keys to swing to open position when the bendable plate is depressed by a pushbutton to enlarge the key space,

DAVID S. BENNETCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,019,036 Ashbridge Oct. 29, 1935 2,274,820 Bills Mar. 3, 1942 2,387,319 Evans Oct. 23, 1945 

